a pilot project to improve access to health care for the uninsured in Oklahoma County
through collaboration and coordination of existing and new resources
The Current Situation for the Uninsured
Oklahoma is in a health crisis. 18.4% of our population is uninsured or underinsured, ranking our state 43rd in the nation. In Oklahoma County, about 1 in 6 are uninsured or underinsured. Uninsured individuals are less likely to receive preventive care and more likely to be hospitalized for conditions that could have been avoided. They receive primary care - if at all - at free clinics or hospital emergency rooms (ERs), all of which are overwhelmed: 53% of ER visits in 2005 were non-emergency cases.
Vision
Health Alliance partners envision a free clinic system that establishes a "medical home" to provide routine, preventive and non-emergency care, maintain patients' medical records, and coordinates their health care.
Project
The Health Alliance for the Uninsured works with free or charitable health clinics to improve access to health care through collaboration and coordination of existing and new resources. Activities include:
- Engaging free clinics in ongoing dialog regarding health needs
- Providing computers and printers for clinics
- Selecting a centralized patient database with medical and treatment history.
- Securing laboratory and radiology services and medications through in-kind and financial donations.
- Measuring clinic needs and patient care needs to prioritize efforts
- Assisting free clinics in developing chronic disease management programs
Accomplishments through January 2008
- Butterfield Memorial Foundation awarded $250,000 to Skyline Urban Ministry on behalf of the Alliance to fund the project for one year; same amount committed for 2008 to purchase software and fund staff positions
- INTEGRIS Health committed additional three-year funding for project coordinator
- Mercy Health Center committed three-year funding for RN Chronic Disease Management Coordinator
- Selected web-based software to provide at no cost to free clinics
- Co-sponsored educational opportunities for free clinic staff & volunteers
- Securing legislation providing liability protection for licensed, charitable health providers at free clinics or accepting referrals from free clinics.
You Can Help!
Success of the project depends not only on the currently volunteering physicians, hospitals and community partners but also on additional volunteers from the medical community and general public giving their time, talents and expertise. Please join us on this journey. Complete the volunteer form and return it today!
Partners
- Oklahoma County Medical Society
- Greater Oklahoma City Hospital Council
- Central Oklahoma Turning Point
- Oklahoma City-County Health Department
- Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce
- Central Oklahoma Integrated Network System
- Skyline Urban Ministry
- Oklahoma Academy of Family Physicians
- Oklahoma Foundation for Medical Quality
- Rx Access Network of Oklahoma
Funding Partners
- Butterfield Memorial Foundation
- INTEGRIS Health
- Mercy Health Center
- Oklahoma County Medical Society Alliance
- CVS Caremark
Participating Oklahoma County Hospitals
- Community Hospital
- Deaconess Hospital
- Edmond Medical Center
- INTEGRIS Baptist Medical Center
- INTEGRIS Southwest Medical Center
- Midwest Regional Medical Center
- Mercy Health Center
- OU Medical Center including:
- Children's Hospital
- Presbyterian Hospital
- St. Anthony Hospital
Volunteer Form
Our Contact Information
Contact: Pam Cross, Program Director, Health Alliance for the Uninsured
Phone: (405) 753-4226
Fax: (405) 843-9610
Email: click here
Mail:
c/o Oklahoma County Medical Society
601 NW Grand Boulevard, Suite B
Oklahoma City, OK 73118
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